Apparatus for the oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen



B. THOMAS. APPARATUS FORIHE OXIDATION OF ATMO SFHERIQNITROGEN.

APPLICATION FILED APR 27. i920.

1A3? 569, mama Dec. 5,1922.

INVENTOR constitutes an annular electrode.

Patented Dec. 5, NW2.

' BRUNO THOMAS, 013 SEATTLE, \VASHINGTON.

APPARATUS FOR THE OXIDATION OF ATMOSPHERIC NITROGEN.

Application filed April 27, 1920. Serial No. 377,138.

ment of gases, as per example for the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.

The object of my invention is to provide a combination of electrodes, soarranged, that the electrical arc will be more cfiicicnt in its actionupon the gases.

In the accompanying drawing. I haveshown some diagrams whichwilllillustrate the new feature of my inve ntionwithout thereby limitingmy claim to such features which are not essential to carry out my invention.

Fig. I shows a section, and Fig. I a plan of such an apparatus forillustration purposes. They consist of a chamber (1) with a tangentiallylocated air inlet (2), and ,an outlet opening (3). This outlet openingAnother electrode, named the center electrode, is l0- catedhlong theaxis through the center of the annular electrode. W hen a suitableelectric current is passed through, a spark will spring from the centerelectrode to the edge of the annular electrode, as marked by Gi -4L.This spark will be substituted by an arc. The heat of the arc willcreate a draft upwards through the annular electrode and the arc willbend up against the orifice and spreading out almost fill the opening.At

the same time, the air sucked in through the tangential inlet (2) willrotate in the chamher and out of the opening and thereby move the upperend of the are slowly around the edge of the opening, constantlyshifting the attacking point. As the gases are cooled immediately,having passed through the arc ases of comparatively high concentrationwill be produced in this manner. However, a higher efficiency-inoxidation, as relating to the consuniption of energy, will be obtainedif the air current is given more vel0cityeither by increased draft, orpressed in through the inlet.

The former way seems preferable. In either case, the gases passingthrough the orifice will adopt acentrit'ugal movement, increasing withthe velocity. Such a mov It will create a low pressure in the ccnte" themovement, and thereby form a core of the lower end of are, around whichthe gases will circulateand it will create a higher pressure around theedge of the orifice, thereby increasing the resistance in the are asfollows: increase the amount of energy or capacity of the apparatus; andfurther, an intensified rotation will split the upper end of the areinto sparks and intensity the immediate cooling of the reacting Theseetlects may be observed also it the center electrode is placed outsidethe intake chamber, as shown in Fig. II. By a high rotation, the core ofthe arc will stay dQWn- 'ard through the center of the opening and 'aring of sparks will spring from the core out to the annular electrode.If the movement is further increased, and the bottom of the chamber is ametal plate connected with the annular electrode, the core of the arewill go right 'down to the bottom, while at the same time the ring ofsparks may be observed, around the edges of the orificeasshown in Fig.IV.

Fig. H shows a hollow center electrode which maybe used for admission ofother gases, it wanted, and also-to, cause a shift- 'ing of theattacking point of the electric arc.

Fig. V shows a combination o'f two orifices placed opposite each other,each. pro

vided with a center electrode between which.

electrodes the arc is started, and by the cen tritugal movement drawnout to a ring form.

It is preferable that more than one tangential inlet to the air chamberis applied in order to give the rotating movement a and means to givethe gasesa rotating morement around the axis. 1

An apparatus for electricil treatment of gases comprising an orificeconstituting i an annular electrode in combination with acenterelectrode terminating inside the plan velocity of the gases andfollowing rapid.

of the orifice and means to give the gases a rotating movement aroundthe axis mutual for both electrodes.

3. An apparatus for electrical treatment of gases. comprising an orificeconstituting an annular electrode in combination with a centerelectrode, terminating outside the plan of the orifice and means to givcrtlie gases a rotating movement around the axis mutual for bothelectrodes.

4. An apparatus for electrical treatment of gases, comprising an orificeconstituting an annular electrode in combination with a tube-formedcenterelectrode. and means to give the gases a rotating movement aroundthe axis mutual for both electrodes.

5. An apparatus for electrical treatment of gases comprising an orificeconstituting an annular electrode in combination with a center electrodelocated on the axis of the annular electrode, and means to drive a 1'0-tating air current through the annular electrode.

6. An apparatus for electrical treatment of con'xprising: an annularelectrode located in a outlet from and around the axis of a roundchamber into which chamher the gases to be treated enter tangentiallyand by a second electrode located on the axis of said chamber.

B. THOMAS.

